Deaf man rescues deaf puppy – and teaches it sign language

When a deaf dog is looking for a new home, just the right applicant comes forward. The two have found their own way to communicate with each other.

Labrador mix Emerson is clearly comfortable with Nick Abbott.

These two were looking for each other – and found each other: Nick Abbott recently got a new friend with four paws. The 31-year-old man from Maine has adopted Emerson, a black Labrador mix. The special thing about their relationship: it has to get by without words. Because both dog and master are deaf, as “ABC News” reports.

Emerson did not have an easy start in life. He spent the first few weeks in a shelter, in addition, an infection gave him a hard time. Whether that’s why he can’t hear, or whether he was deaf from birth, his caretakers don’t know.

Emerson learns commands in sign language
When the shelter was looking for a new home, Abbott came forward with a simple application: “I’m deaf, too, and I have a feeling we’ll have a good connection.” Accordingly, the shelter made short work of the request and surrendered Emerson.

There, Abbott has already taught his new friend some commands in sign language. Sitting down, laying down and coming here – all no problem. Emerson always finds a way to learn from Nick, his mother says.

“Two deaf boys” on Instagram

Meanwhile, Abbott chronicles his life with Emerson on his own Instragram page. “Nick and Emerson two deaf boys and their adventures!” – “Two deaf boys and their adventures.”